Out with friends in Belltown for a special occasion…

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I've always liked the James Bond series, which i think makes me pretty much a normal western male. How anyone - in my demographic or otherwise - could not get a huge kick out of the fast cars, impossible gadgets, insane locations and beautiful women that Fleming’s character has defined the superspy-movie genre with is beyond me. The dry one-liners, the martinis… all of it such good fun. Some people gripe about some of the past Bond actors, but i honestly see merit in all of them and their own unique approach to the character.

Until now. This Daniel Craig guy, i'm not so sure about. To be brutal, he doesn't look the part; not nearly suave enough. I can't buy him seducing every woman in a 25ft radius with only a smile. And now i find out he can't even drive stick. Soooo not bonus point for him.

I don't think i'm looking forward to Casino Royale. A shame, to be sure, because i've previously never met a Bond movie i didn't like.

Technorati Tags: james bond, 007

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Calling the mTUNE’s headphones is only half of the story; they're also a little fort for your iPod Shuffle to play in, or at least hide its head in while its tail end hangs out. That’s the beauty of them and the reason I thought they were worth a try.

My shuffle is primarily a workout partner, as my old-school 3rd gen 15G iPod is still clicking along and has the flexibility to match my (various, swinging) moods with its range of playlists. I've found the one-playlist capacity of the shuffle to be well-suited to the gym, as 512MB is plenty to keep a solid collection of iron-pumping tunage that avoids excessive frequency and mid-workout track skipping. It’s also a sweet skiing buddy, weighing nearly nothing and being much less susceptible to death by crushing. Because it’s small and steals electricity from more places (USB ports are easier to spot in the wild than Firewire) it’s almost always tucked in a bag or pocket nearby, and so the mTUNE’s seemed like a great way to get more use out of something I'm carrying around anyway.

Macally ships these babies in a smaller box than I expected, but I found that’s because they travel folded-up which is handy, although it leaves smoosh-marks from the headband in the leather earcups. The box features a typical iPod hipster dude demonstrating how to properly rock out wearing the mTUNE’s, which I appreciated since the “Quick User’s Guide" is only a single-sided sheet of paper and there is no “non-Quick User’s Guide" to which I can refer when the 4-step usage instructions fail to clear up all my operating questions.

The manual does spell out some specs, such as the 180g weight (excluding Shuffle, which would add 22g more) and the 105dB sensitivity across a frequency range of 20Hz ~ 23KHz. Not fantastic specs as earcup-style headphones go, but at the price point and considering the specialty use I felt they were acceptable. The sound is crisp with decent bass response, especially considering the Shuffle has no EQ adjustment.

Even without reading the manual, I expect all but the most dunderheaded Shuffle owners to figure the mTUNE’s out. When empty the headphones look funny until you add the Shuffle, even though they do operate as regular headphones that way thanks to the thoughtfully-included removable cord. As you can see by the USB port sticking out, the Shuffle slides in, uh, headfirst to mate up with the protuding headphone jack inside the mTUNE’s and clicks into place, exposing the control buttons. The first downside of operation is that the Shuffle’s power switch is inaccessible, which means a remove-and-reinstall game before and after each session of use to prevent wasted juice. Second - and more significantly - the status LED is obscured, as well, so avoiding a dead-battery surprise requires some diligence with the power button.

Fit is comfortable and firm, athough I'm surprised the clamping force isn't greater considering how much mobility a cord-free system allows, and how much the packaging seems to encourage headbanging. The headband sizes across a large range, but the whole setup starts out geared to large heads (or big hair?) as I needed barely one or two clicks of adjustment to span my average-sized melon (and non-flock of seagulls hairstyle). People with small heads - or no hair - might have trouble getting a snug fit. I wore them around the house a bit, making extra effort to bounce down the stairs and white-guy-head-shake-dance more vigorously than usual, and the mTUNE’s kept both the Shuffle and my head in their grip throughout. I have yet to put them through a more rigorous test - washing the car, or something where I'm leaning upside down a lot, such as picking up loose change under the monorail platform - but initial analysis is promising.

As stylish as those white wires are, going completely wireless is gratifying enough to earn the mTUNE’s my recommendation as a quality Shuffle accessory. No batteries, a relatively-compact travel size, light weight and a generally sturdy build - accompanied by a 1-year warranty - mean Macally expects these to bounce around in your backpack and survive all the places you take your Shuffle that you'd never take a full-size iPod. The sound quality is satisfying, with the earcups providing the extra privacy, comfort, noise reduction and bass response you'd expect, and with the included 3.5mm headphone jack cable they'd serve double-duty for your computer, too.

The self-contained nature of this setup really is the kicker, though. Taking full advantage of an mp3 player that’s light enough to wear on your head, Macally has engineered a solid product whose shortcomings are easily forgettable considering the unique form factor and clever implementation.

• Purchased from: Buy.com for $23 (with coupon, free shipping)

• A product of Macally
• Find one at: Froogle or NexTag
• Compatible with: iPod Shuffle (all capacities), any standard 3.5mm headphone jack
• Recommendation: get more use out of your shuffle and free yourself from the tangle of wires, unless you have a small, bald head.

Technorati Tags: macally, mtune, ipod, shuffle, review

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Some days just start off poorly and never recover, and based on how today is going i'd be tempted to claim i'm suffering from “a case of the Mondays" but in truth i actually feel pretty good. Awaking before my alarm clock, at 5.45 because the furnace kicked on, was a much less jarring transition out of slumber than the mind-wrenching beeping of the clock, although it was largely a result of crashing into bed around 9.30 the night before, completely exhausted from a long, six-and-a-half-day work week. I was temporarily on the verge of furious this morning, trying in vain to find downtown parking when every garage was closed (president’s day) and every street space was taken (because it’s free today - again with the day of the presidents). After finally settling on a surface lot near the waterfront for $14 - because i was certainly not going to pay Seattle Muni Tower $24 for the priviledge, even if they are an elevator ride away from the gym - i realized their “full-day" expires at 5.30pm, and as i'll most certainly be downtown later than that today i'll be moving and re-parking again this evening. Somehow, though, i'm numb to the annoyance, perhaps because traffic was ridiculously light with the holiday and because driving meant i didn't have to spend 30 minutes in the cold waiting for a bus that refuses to adhere it its own posted schedule.

Sure, yet another day in the Allstar Fitness locker room without hot water is material enough to begin building a sour mood, but by the time i reached the office where it was 1) quiet, 2) dark and 3) approximately 104 degrees F, i felt cozy and relaxed, and 16oz of sweet nectar from the Starbucks fairy melted the sourness away. So amiable is my current mood that i'm not even bitter about my coworkers who are “so tired" from skiing in Whistler all weekend while i spent 16 hours saturday hunched over a laptop. Even though i probably should be, i'm not dreading and stressing about the upcoming week, where staff absences, further software rollouts and what i'm sure will be countless menial, tedious tasks associated with said rollouts will doubtlessly build into a hurricane work week of epic purportions. Perhaps because i had a solid breakfast today, and a good (albiet chillingly-concluded) workout. A sunday afternoon spent tinkering with electrical projects and playing video games with Clint, followed by an evening curled up by the fireplace with the latest Make and a laptop full of webcomics couldn't have hurt any. I feel relaxed today, despite the pressures that are coming and the ones that should have past already that i just can't shake. I shouldn't be relaxed. I very rarely am anyway, especially with this much going on. I guess what i'm asking, is how do you distinguish relaxation from apathy?

BTW, if you haven't read that book, i highly recommend it.

Technorati Tags: stress, relaxation, webcomics

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Sick of my coworkers' chatter about their VD plans for the night, i dialed the punk playlist and turned my ipod up to drown them out. First song it plays on shuffle: "My Bloody Valentine" by Good Charlotte. Miss Cleo could not have done better.

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I can't be the only single person in the city today. I saw at least one or two other guys this morning clutching their typical coffee, umbrella, or iPod amidst a barrage of cut flowers, pink Vicky’s shopping bags and heart-shaped candy boxes. The bus driver’s pink striped shirt and flashing LED heart pin garnered rave reviews from many, but at least a few riders slipped tactfully by towards the exit door with only their typical, unremarkable “thank-you". The elevator buzzed with discussion of evening dinner plans but a couple others - besides me - offered no comment. On a day when the unattached are verboten - or at least temporarily forgotten - there are very few places where it’s safe to be single. In an effort to help the rest of you singletons survive VD this year i have some places and activities to avoid for the next 24-48 hours:

• The movies. Unless you want to be the third wheel to 100 happy couples, stay out of the theaters tonight. I know very few people that are gutsy enough to attend a movie by themselves anyway, but even if you were planning on joining a singles support crew for a filmgoing anti-VD rally, it’s going to be make-out central in there, so you're better off renting.
• Scratch that, don't rent. The video stores will be packed this evening with smoochy couples cruising the romantic comedy isle. Watch something you already own, or hit up cable if you have it. Beware of sappy romantic movies sucking you in, though, even if they're cleverly disguised with action-star actors.
• Restaurants, and not just the fancy ones. While many guys will be treating their girl to formal attire, nose-tickling beverages and a large red crustacean, with Seattle’s aversion to dressing up just as many will be ironing their good flannel shirt and valet parking at Red Robin. Even your more dive-y joints (think Beth’s on north Aurora) will be overrun; punk and emo kids need booths to cuddle in, too. Fast food is probably a safe bet, as the kind of slackers that bring their date to Burger King tonight probably won't be on the date very long, but we're trying to survive VD not heart disease so skip that, too.
• Grocery stores, especially the upscale ones with nice produce and full-service delis. Picture long lines, filled with guys that have never cooked anything more complex than Easy-Mac juggling raw produce they can't necessarily identify and bottles of 7-dollar wine, and i think you'll agree that’s not how you want to spend a tuesday night.
• Car parts and car repair shops. Guys who are working on their cars tonight are doing so to distract themselves from messy breakups or girls they missed out on, and staff at these places tend to have a preponderance of bitter stories they're oh-so-willing to share. Unless you're looking for a lot of weepy bear hugs, steer clear.
• Trendy bars and nightclubs. Bartenders and waitstaff are on a mission tonight: a mission to make you feel loved just long enough to take all your money. Flirting will be at record highs, with a strong hand-, arm- and shoulder-touching front moving in around nightfall. You may think your defense shield of cynicism will protect you, but never underestimate the combination of alcohol, loneliness and feigned availability. If you do find yourself kidnapped by friends, at least have the good sense to remove your ID and 20 bucks from your wallet and leave the rest at home.

Does it have to be so negative? Certainly there are some DO’s for the forgotten singles tonight, some informal storm shelters in which to ride out this red-white-and-pink blizzard?

• Pick up a game controller. The people this item is aimed at probably don't need me telling them that an especially cold winter evening when the roommate’s going to be out late is an opportunity for some quality gaming time. Just remember that too much of this sort of activity might be the reason you don't have a date tonight, so try not to take it too seriously. No dressing up like your avatar just because no one’s at home to make fun of you.
• Home Depot. Finish that bookshelf you started six months ago, fix that annoying cupboard door that never closes, or just wander the empty aisles looking at bathtubs and fondling the power tools. Only the lamest of dates will involve home repair, and couples that are pragmatic enough to be tracing the concrete aisles tonight will probably not be breaking into spontaneous tickle fights as they're obviously either completely over each other, or Amish.
• Electronics stores. Any guy who brings his girl shopping for boys' toys on “big red tuesday" is trying to force a break-up, so it’s safe to assume any couples in the store are on the verge of a huge, explosive fight and therefore harbor huge entertainment potential for you. You may not even need to watch the wall of tv’s.
• Work. I'm serious. Work late, get ahead and be the guy who has all the answers. Many of the world’s most successful people have absolutely no social life because they're too busy making big things happen for themselves. The only difference between them and you is that they're lonely and productive.
• The gym. As long as you don't mind navigating around a few mopey gym rats, it might be a great evening to try a new workout or get back into a healthy habit. Or just binge on crunches until you nearly black out on the low-pile carpet. When you can't feel your legs anymore i guarantee you won't care that you're dateless on some silly, over-merchandised holiday, and if you need extra motivation just remember that maybe you won't be alone next year if you can lift that last 20 pounds.
• Dive bars. If there really is an endless, aching hole in your heart that can only be filled with booze, belly-up to the well-worn walnut at your local pub and unload your sorrows on the grizzled, equally-forlorn bartender. When you've started stacking pyramids with your empty shot glasses or you've forgotten what day it is, mission accomplished; time to go home and sleep off those VD cooties.

Whatever you do today just remember that being single means you're free to do whatever you want, that you have zero responsibility for the evening, and that you're spared the expense and hassle of this Hallmark holiday. And if you're going to send balloon bouquets to yourself at work, just make sure they're anonymous.

Technorati Tags: VD, valentines, single

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I drove around with the tops off on sunday. Today, winter returns with a vengeance. Too bad i'm working and not skiing.

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Sunset out the office window. It's supposed to be sunny all week. A week, people! A week without rain! It's all Seattle could wish for! It's like Christmas in february!

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I had a whole collection of links piled together to discuss today, but i just don't feel right moving on without at least skimming some superbowl-related chunks out of the broth sloshing around in my head. It was a milestone year for Seattle, to be sure, being the Seahawks' first visit and all. Add to that the unpleasant legal mumblings aimed our direction from Texas A&M regarding the whole “12th man" thing, which is total crap since soccer fans in Europe have been using that phrase longer than Texas has been a state. Of course, the promotions budget was bigger this year than it has ever been, the drama on the field was more drawn-out and overstated than before, and retailers moved more TV sets in honor of the event than in any year past. Despite that, however, this year’s mega-game hasn't bumped last year’s from the top spot on a Google search.

Regarding the entertainment, Stevie was as Wonder-ful as always despite being surrounded on stage by a gaggle of oddly-dressed hoochies with giant plastic hair and one uncoordinated white chick attempting to upstage him even though it was obvious to everyone but her that she was to “motown soul" what Barry Manilow is to the grunge rock movement. The award for most hideously tacky decision of the night, however (outside of those made by the refs), was the crew of male dancers flanking Stevie brandishing white canes. As someone in the room pointed out, at least Mr. Wonder was spared having to witness 2006’s seriously offensive “wardrobe malfunction".

Halftime was a mix of admiration, concern and pity as the tired, bedraggled Stones limped around the stage trying to give the crowd some “satisfaction." There were moments where i was in awe that they were still on stage, in front of arguably the largest audience assembled for any musical performance, belting it out despite being nearly seventy. There were equally as many times, though, that a finger poised over the “9″ would not have been unwarranted were a heart failure, broken hip, or sudden heroin relapse to necessitate emergency medical assistance. So, while they may still be hard rockers inside their own heads, it’s as difficult to rock out along with the Rolling Stones these days as it is to rock along with any group of funny little old men brandishing spikey hair and size-zero leather pants. Besides, are they even from Detroit?

I have little in the way of an educated observation regarding the actual sporting event. I will say that i predict the phrase “making more bad decisions than a Detroit referee" will become a new fixture in the Seattle vernacular.

Technorati Tags: superbowl, seattle, steve wonder, 12th man, detroit

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Jeff made seahawks cookies, but apparently even that is not enough for Seattle to win a championship.

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